Toyota’s Deluxe Land Cruiser Is Getting the Upgrade It Sorely Needs

A GX 550h hybrid will really come in handy with today’s gas prices.

Rear view of a dark gray Lexus GX 550 with illuminated horizontal red taillight bar and license plate GZV 333.

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Published May 28, 2026

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If you’ve been eyeing Toyota’s fancy Land Cruiser (the Lexus GX), but feel a little apprehensive about its abysmal fuel economy, a solution may be on the horizon. A gas-electric hybrid version is on the way.

A Toyota and Lexus executive for Australia, Julian Meldrum, confirmed the hybrid model’s impending arrival for the GX’s global lineup. Meldrum spoke with CarExpert during a recent interview.

While Meldrum said the GX 550h isn’t a “priority” for Australia, he did say it’s on the way for global markets. Yes, that includes us Yanks.

The Land Cruiser has a hybrid option, so why not the GX?

Beige Lexus SUV kicking up sand while driving in a desert with rugged hills in the background. — The Lexus GX has been a gas-only model, but that’s about to change, thankfully.

Since the GX’s launch a few years ago, Lexus has only offered it with Toyota’s latest “Dynamic Force” V6. More specifically, the twin-turbo 3.4-liter “V35A-FT.” It’s the same V6 that also powers the full-size Land Cruiser, the Lexus LX, the Toyota Tundra and the Sequoia.

Now, the GX is getting the same hybridized gas-electric turbo-four as its Land Cruiser Prado cousin. Earlier this year, Lexus reportedly trademarked the “GX 550h” badge, which was the first clue suggesting the GX would be getting the hybrid treatment.

Beige SUV parked on rocky mountain edge with person standing nearby overlooking distant peaks. — Potential buyers will most certainly welcome a more fuel-efficient powertrain in the Lexus GX.

That’s because Lexus labels its hybrid models with a lowercase “h,” which obviously designates the gas-electric versions. While trademarks aren’t always hard confirmations of new models, this one happened to hold water.

Given that the Lexus GX is basically a fancier version of the Land Cruiser Prado, or the Land Cruiser sold in American dealerships, it also made sense to port the Prado’s hybrid powertrain to the GX.

The differences do add up, but there’s a catch or two

Gray Lexus SUV parked on desert terrain at sunset with illuminated rear lights and mountains in the background. — Because the Lexus GX is basically a fancy Land Cruiser Prado, it only makes sense to port the Toyota’s hybrid powertrain over.

The V6 in the standard GX 550 is good for 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. It is rated to return up to 15 miles per gallon in the city, 21 on the highway and a combined average of around 17.

Alternatively, the GX’s hybrid Toyota cousin uses the same “Dynamic Force” turbocharged gas-electric four-cylinder as a wide variety of models. Such includes the latest Toyota Tacoma, 4Runner, Highlander and Lexus TX.

Open hood view of a Toyota vehicle engine compartment showing various hoses, wires, and fluid reservoirs. — The Land Cruiser Prado’s hybrid turbo-four will power the new Lexus GX 550h.

That would be the “T24A-FTS” 2.4-liter “i-FORCE MAX.” That’s good for a total system output of 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. But it is considerably more fuel-efficient, offering up to 22 city mpg, 25 highway and 23 combined.

A boost in fuel economy will be a welcome benefit from the hybrid powertrain. However, Meldrum noted the hybridized GX 550h will come with some compromises, such as lower towing and hauling ratings.

Lexus car interior with black leather steering wheel, beige perforated seats, and large touchscreen display showing navigation. — Even the interior of the Lexus GX 550 is an upscale carbon copy of the Land Cruiser Prado.

This comes down to limitations with the electric motors and added weight from the hybrid running gear, such as the battery and all the extra equipment needed to support the drivetrain.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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